The four players are training with Nigel Clough's squad this week as part of a link-up between the Championship club and the Major League Soccer side, whose president Tim Hinchey spent three years with Derby as vice president.

Midfielder Cascio, 22, scored the first goal and defender Mark O'Brien headed the second as the Rams won 2-0.

Cascio, along with forward Akpan (24), defender Klute (22) and midfielder Rivero (23) all played just over an hour of the game, which was arranged in order to give a number of players match action.

O'Brien, Kieron Freeman and Conor Doyle, all on the periphery of Derby's starting XI, started against the Magpies while Saul Deeney, Ben Davies and Michael Hoganson also got important match minutes under their belts.

till I suppose it still gives him at least another year in the job. By the time it comes around , he can always make up another excuse. First it was 3 months , then a year .....Next year ? Whats his excuse with Van Persie ?